Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the main strategic goal for the coming years is to keep Hungary out of war, as global conflicts, from the Middle East to Ukraine, intensify and increasingly shape Europe’s political and economic environment.
In an interview with ATV host Egon Rónai on the programme Mérleg, broadcast on YouTube on Wednesday, Orbán described ‘staying out’ as the keyword for the next four years, arguing that Hungary must avoid being drawn into military, financial, or political involvement in ongoing conflicts.
‘Can we stay out of the war, can we stay out of military shipments, can we stay out of financial aid? Staying out is the keyword,’ the prime minister said.
Orbán framed the current international situation as increasingly volatile, citing the war in Ukraine, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and growing geopolitical competition among major powers. According to the prime minister, Hungary’s primary responsibility is to protect the security and stability of its citizens amid this uncertain global environment.
The interview began with the government’s efforts to evacuate Hungarian citizens stranded abroad due to the Iranian conflict and the rapidly deteriorating security situation in parts of the Middle East. Orbán urged patience from those waiting to return home, stressing that safety must remain the top priority.
He noted that evacuations from some locations, such as Jordan, are easier to organize, while conditions in several Gulf states are changing rapidly and require careful planning. The government does not want to risk exposing Hungarian citizens to potential terrorist attacks during evacuation operations, he added.
‘Orbán said he had advised Trump to pursue negotiations for as long as possible’
Turning to the broader geopolitical situation, Orbán commented on recent US military strikes in Iran and Venezuela. According to the prime minister, US President Donald Trump views these actions not as the beginning of a war but as an attempt to eliminate what Washington considers major sources of instability.
Orbán said he had advised Trump to pursue negotiations for as long as possible, recalling past conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq, where the United States became entangled despite overwhelming military superiority. Whether the recent strikes ultimately lead to greater stability will depend on whether the situation improves compared to before the attacks, he added.
Energy security also took up a significant part of the discussion. Orbán revealed that he had recently spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who confirmed that Moscow continues to supply Hungary with the contracted volumes of oil despite turbulence on global markets.
However, the delivery of that oil depends on transit through Ukraine. Orbán criticized Kyiv’s decision to halt oil flow, including that through the Druzhba pipeline, describing the move as political pressure aimed at influencing Hungary’s domestic politics ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election in April.
‘If we accept that enforcing our rights becomes a matter of bargaining, then we will be blackmailed again and again,’ Orbán said. The prime minister argued that Ukraine is obligated under its agreements with the European Union not to endanger the energy security of EU member states. Hungary will therefore continue to pursue diplomatic and legal measures within the EU framework to restore oil transit, he added.
‘If we accept that enforcing our rights becomes a matter of bargaining, then we will be blackmailed again and again’
Orbán also stressed Hungary would continue blocking the proposed €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine until oil deliveries through the pipeline are restored.
The dispute has also complicated relations between Budapest and Kyiv. While preparations for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been ongoing, Orbán said progress has stalled because Ukraine has presented demands that Hungary cannot accept.
Among these, he said, are requests that Hungary abandon Russian energy imports and provide financial support for Ukraine’s war effort. ‘We do not want to give up cheap Russian oil and gas, we do not want to finance the war, and we do not want to support it,’ Orbán said.
Beyond energy issues, the prime minister warned that the Middle East conflict could also trigger migration pressures in Europe. Drawing parallels with the Syrian civil war, he noted that instability in Iran could push migrants towards Türkiye and eventually along the Balkan route towards Europe and Hungary.
Orbán linked the volatile geopolitical situation to Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election campaign. He argued that the next four years will revolve around three interconnected issues: war, energy, and Ukraine.
‘If I look around among political leaders, I do not see anyone else who has a better chance of keeping Hungary out of the war,’ he said, explaining why he decided to run again in the upcoming elections.
‘I do not see anyone else who has a better chance of keeping Hungary out of the war’
Orbán also claimed that Ukraine is seeking political change in Hungary and suggested that the opposition Tisza party receives significant financial support from Ukrainian sources, citing classified intelligence reports. He encouraged journalists to request the declassification of the document if they wished to examine its contents.
Concluding the one-and-a-half-hour-long interview, Orbán said that despite mounting international tensions, Hungary’s fundamental objective remains unchanged: safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and ensuring that it does not become entangled in conflicts that threaten its security or economic stability.
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